Mountain Trekkers Kidnapped In Colombia

Two British hikers are reportedly among a group of trekkers kidnapped by Colombian FARC guerillas in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains on the Carribean coast of Colombia.

The walkers appear to have been part of an organised tour group trekking to the Ciudad Perdida - the Lost City - a set of ruins located several days' walk into the jungle and a well-established link in the alternative travellers' 'Gringo Trail'.

The area is notoriously risky with a combination of guerillas and drug growers making it potentially hazardous, though extremely beautiful. The mountains themselves reach just over 5,700 metres and are the highest coastal range in the world, rising from the coast to the tops in the space of around 20 km. The combination of guerillas, drug runners and growers and the local, indigenous people, together with a strict permit system means that they are rarely climbed.

Colombia is notorious for kidnappings which have become an established 'mini industry' and are used by guerillas to finance their war against the government. Victims are generally released upon payment of a ransom. Worryingly though, government troops have reportedly entered the area and are searching for the missing travellers.

More details in this BBC news story.